A Home is for Beauty

Beauty is often thought of as something shallow or one-dimensional—a veneer or a veil that matters much less than whatever lies beneath. It’s true that beauty can be only skin-deep, a layer masking something less lovely or praiseworthy. But as I’ve discovered throughout my career, beauty can also represent purpose, care, and intent. It can be inspiring and welcoming. And it can also point us toward something greater than ourselves.

I used to wonder: Is creating beauty, focusing on design, really that important? Does design offer any eternal value? Aren’t there bigger problems in the world? But I’ve come to realize something profound: Beauty isn’t just the icing on the cake; it is the cake. Beauty in design is about aesthetics, of course, but it’s also about creating spaces that people are drawn to, that feel right to move through, and that function seamlessly. A beautiful place, by its very nature, provides comfort; it offers spaces where people feel at ease, want to linger, and find joy in the details. This sense of comfort naturally leads to usefulness, because a space people enjoy will become one they will want to use frequently or even integrate into their daily lives.

The Bible has a lot to say about beauty, and it’s often in relation to God himself. Psalm 27:4, for example, says, “One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.” If even the Creator of the universe is described as beautiful, perhaps we are selling the idea of beauty short.

In a world that often feels chaotic and overwhelming, beauty has the power to spark within us a sense of awe—and that sense of awe brings with it a sense of peace, tranquility, and joy. For the next few days, as we discuss how a home can be a haven for ourselves, our families, and our guests, let’s dwell on the idea of how beauty in its fuller definition can bring us together and provide us with glimpses of the eternal.

Reflect

What do you find beautiful? What about beauty can be inspiring or hope-filled?

Pray

God, help me to find beauty in all you have made. Grant me eyes to see beauty in others, and give me the opportunity to make this world more beautiful as well. Amen.